Fire-protection system.



N0- 828,046. PATENTED AUG. 7, 1906.

J. G. NOLEN.

FIRE PROTBUTION SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 6, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES e. NOLEN, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO AUTOMATIC FIREY'PROTEOTION' (JOMPANY,

A CORPORATION OF MAINE.-

FIRE-:PROTEGTION'SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. '7, 1906.

Application filed September a, 1904. Serial No. 223.534.

; panymg drawings, which form part of this specification. l

My invention relates to improvements in fire-protection systems wherein are employed automatic sprinkler devices adapted to be automatically set in operation upon the occurrence of fire and with which are associated signaling devices for indicating conditions in the'extinguishin system.

In automatic e-extinguishing systems it is important to know when water is in motion through the system; and one of the salient objects of my invention is to provide in' conjunction with arts of a fire-ex tinguisher system means or indicating the commencement of water-flow through the piping of the system.

A further object of my invention is to provide a movable part in a fire-extinguisher system which will be sensitive to even slight movement of the water and will be capable of actuating a signaling device associated therewith.

A further object of my invention is to provide a connection between such moving part and a normally wound signal-transmitting insti flinentality so constructed and associated with the extinguisher part that the said instrumentality is not actuated to send a full alarm should the water-flow be of momentary duration only.

With a view to attaining these and further objects, which will become ap arent to those skilled in the art from the fol owing description, my invention consists in the features of construction and arrangement and combinations of parts hereinafter fully pointed out, and s ecified in the claims.

Its erring now to the drawings, Figure 1 is a view partially in elevation, partially in section, and partially diagrammatic, showing one operativeembodiment of my invention. Fig2 isa detail section taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1;. Fig-,3 is-a similarvicwto Fig. 1,.

showing another embodiment of my invention.

Throughout the drawings like numerals of reference refer always tolike parts.

Referring now to said drawings, and particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, A represents a riser or other Cpipe of an automatic sprinkler system provi tomatic valve B.

C indicates a by-pass pipe around the riser-valve B and D indicates a small check with a check or other anvalve in the by-path C, having a movable part or valve-head d, preferably of the flap variety.

d represents the stem of the movable valve member d, connected to move therewith, and (1 represents a lever-arm fixedly connected to the stem (1.

The provision of the small automatic valve in the by-pass is for the purpose, among others, of obtaining sensibility to small current-flow, for it is well known that a checkvalve in the main pipe or riser, such as the Valve B, scarcely responds at all to a small flow of water, such as that caused by the breaking of a single sprinkler-head or arelatively small leak. The check-valve (1 being very light, however, is quite sensitive an will respond quickly and positively to a slight flow occasioned by some such causes as those described. Further, it will be apparent that the valve-head d willjrespond more quickly to sudden impulses than the valve B on account of its lighter weight.

I associate with the automatic by-pass signal-transmitting mechanism an so connect the said transmitting mecham m with the movable valve-head that the mainte' nance of said head in open position foria prolonged time causes the said transmitting mechanism to transmit to a central station a valve d a normally wound alarmtgp: of the predetermined alarm, but so that the tem porary opening of the valve does not result in the transmission of such alarm.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 1, E represents a normally Wound signaltrans- .mitting mechanism, preferably of'the wellknown messenger-call type, but which may as to its general features be of any suitable I operative construction. The box E is pref erably adapted when its mechanism is free from restraint to transmit its characteristic number a plurality of times.

e represents a rotating part driven by the box Inotor' mechanism so as'to makeone revolution for each round- 'ef signals sent by the box. Therotating parte is provided with a notch e for a purpose to be described.

e indicates an escapement-wheel which may be in any way convenientl driven by the train, and 6 its associated pa let.

e indicates a stem ri idly connected with controllin device for the si 'al-tiansmitter g gn - and maintained in ral'sed'positlon by the flow E is PIOVldBd and associated for 'operation with the automatic valve-head d, 'said controllin device being" so arrangedrelative to the vtdve that when the valve-head is lifted of the water the controlling device is thereby coincidently ,"maintained in inactiveposition for releasing the transmitting device to send in its full numberbf rounds for, which it is set, but so that when-the valve isopened.

and then promptly reseated, as by a temporary rush of water, the controlling device is actuated to permit its signaling device to send only a single round'and then stop said signal device.

1 In the specific constructionshown, indicates a lever pivoted, as at 6,"on anysuitable support provided at one extremity with an inturned-end 7 adapted to engage in the recess e of the rotating p'arte of the signal-box.

8 indicates an arm extending at right angles to the arm 5-and having its extremity overlying the lever-arm dflassociated with the valve -D. The'arm-8 'is provided with a depending stud 9,'whichwhenthe' said arm is depressed lies'in'the path'of vibration of the end e of the vibrating stem 0 of the signal-box, as shown in Fig. 2, but which when elevated to such-an extent as to permit-the -'-ifinger 7, of the. controlling device to'escape POSliLlOIl.

the notch e to free thesaid stem for tion. 1 I

a A suitable spring 8 is provided tending to maintain the controlling device in operative vibra- The 0' erationof this specific construction is as fol ows: As soonas' the movable valve member d is lifted by the commencement of water-flow through the :by-pass 0 it elevates the arm 8 against the tensionof itss ring 8, freeing the pallet-stem c and with awmg the finger 7* from its notch ein' the rotating art 2. Consequently the signal transmitter is started in motion to send the signal tothe responsive device at-the central-station.

vAs long as the valve member (1 ref'nains in raised position under the influence of the moving water body the controlling device is maintained in its inoperative position; but if said valve d returns to its seat the controlling device tends to return to its original position under the influence of its spring. It will be noted, however, that after the arm 7 is once moved from its notch c it travels upon the peripheral surface of the rotating part 0, and therefore the lug 9 upon the arm 8 cannot stop the vibration of the pallet until the finger 7 again drops into its notch' e" in the rotating part'of thesignal-box. ever, as the round which the box may then-be sending is completed the controlling device restores itselfto initial position vto'sto the box. It will be apparent now that if the water-flow be prolonged the-controlling de-* :vice will be maintained in releasingpomtionand the signal-transmitter permitted to send its complete signal to the central stat-ion,- indicating that atte'ntionis required to'the-sys-' tem. If, on the'other hand,- said valve'opens only momentarily in response to a kick-"pr :sudden vibration in the water-pressure," the signal box is actuated to send-only a-single round, and while the central-station is-notified of the opening of 'the' valve it-becomes' apparent at the station'that-the valve has As soon,- howagain closed itself, for the reason that only' the short-signal is received. It may'be u-nderstood at thecentral station that a signal of two or more-rounds of the boxrequires -at-- tention, in which case if the box be wound to send four or five-rounds When'entire'ly free from restraint the occurrence of several impulses in the pipe, each actuating the box to send one round, doesnot' incapacitate sa'idbox for later transmitting a signal which will demand the'attention of the central observer.

In Fi 3 I have shown another embodiment 0 my invention. In said figure-the alarm-box E and its association with a signaling-circuit identical with the arrangement shown in Fig; 1 and thecontrollingmeoha-nism of the box'workson the same principle; but its connection with thevalve'D is different.

.Referrin tQ the specific construetion of the control er shown in Fi 3, 5 indicates'an arm pivoted at 6 and prov ded with a hook 7, cocperating with the rotating element e,=asi:in the device above described, and 8' indicates the trip-arm provided with thevdetent an rangement 9, coepe'rating with the-end e :of the vibrating pallet-stem efl and' thence bent downward and provided with an inturn'ed end portion 8",arrar1'gedin front of the pivot 6. 10 indicates generally a mechanical timing' device, comprising, essentially, a frame member 11, pivoted, asat 12; preferably belowits center. ofgravity, sothat it is not in stable eqnilibrium, and provided at its 40'sfrom its normal positionby the raising 'of the end with an arm 13 which overlies the end of the lever-arm d ,-connected with the valve. Mounted in the frameof the controllin device is a dumb-bell-shaped member .14, av-

ing chambers 15and 16 at its opposite ends, connected by a restricted passage 17. With-. in this hollow member is arranged a body 18 of heavy liquid, such as mercury, adapted when the device is tilted from one side to the other to flow from one chamber to the other through the restricted passage in a predetermined time. The device is so arranged that when in normal position a preponderance of theweight rests on the side thereof, which tends tohold thearm 13 in contact with the lever-arm d but if said device be tipped arm (1 for asufiicient length of time the Inercury will flow through the restricted passag'e into the chamber 16 changing the preponderating weight to that side and causing the frame to fall on its now preponderating side.,,

' An arm 19 is provided on the normally elei all vated side of the frame and so disposed that when the frame 11 is tilted by the elevation of the valve-arm d said arm 19 contacts with or stands slightly above the inturned end 8" of the controllin mechanism Without moving the latter. t will be apparent now that if the valve d be raised and immediately re-" turned to its seat in consequence of a kick in the water-pressure the frame 11- is tilted momentarily; but the restricted connection between the chambers is so smallthat suffi: cient mercury cannot flow therethrough in a short time to change the preponderance of weightfrom its normal side to the other, and consequently when the valve returnsto nor.- mal position the movable frame also returns to its normal position without hav-- ing disturbed the controlling device of the sign al-tr ansmitter.

If, however, the valve be raised and maintained in raised position, the timing device is maintained .with its heavier end elevated until suflicient mercury flows through the restrictedqtliassagila1 to taro; pon t e si e o the preponderating weight the chamber 16, whereupon the frame 11 tilts still farther to the position indicated in I dotted lines in Fig. 3 and pulls down the controllin -1ever 5, thereby trippin the box. It will be apparent that when the ox is thus openin of the valve occurs.

Whi e I have herein described in some detail two operative embodiments of m invention, I do not desire to be understoo as limiting myself to the specific construction-of either further than as claimed or as limiting the changes which may be made within the scope of mv. invention to such changes as are illustrated in the different embodiments, the

modification being shown 'mer'el for the pur! pose of indicating difiere'nt em odiments of tripped it sends its full signal, no signalat eing. sent when the mere momentary my invention which may conveniently be used. I do, however, limit my present-invention as to the timing. arrangement to a timing means mechanically connected with the transmitter to control the latter, the

broader idea of any character of connection being made the subject of claims in'my copending. pplication, Serial N 0. 224,925, filed September. 17, 1904. I

Having thus described my invention, What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

-' -1. The combination with a main pipe and valve, 9. part. in said by-pass movable from normal position when water flows throu h said .by-pass and to normal position on t e cessation of water-flow, a signal s stem com-- prising a. suitable circuit,-a signa responsive device, a source'of current-supply, anda nor-, mally wound signal-transmitter adapted when maintained in condition for operation to transmit a lurality of'separate signals,

and when con itioned for inactivity to stop upon the completion of the signal'then being transmitted, and operative connection between the part in the by-pass' and the transmitter wherebymovement' of said part from normal position conditions the transmitter for operation, and return of said part to normal position conditions'said transmitter for inactivity. I

' a valve thereinof a by-p ass around said main 2. The combination with a main pipe and a valve therein, of a bypass around said valve, .a' lighter automatic valve in said bypass, a signal system comprising a suitable circuit, a source of current-supply, a signalresponsive device, anda normally wound 'slgnal transm1tterhav=1ng an escapement,

and adapted when maintained in conditionrate signals, a controlling'device for said I05 I .for operation to transmit a plurality of sepatransmitter comprising a stem projecting".

from an'esca ement member, a part coacting with sai stem to prevent 1ts vibration when said part is in one position, and to permit its vibration when t e ter for operation.

-3. In combination a' signal-transmitter, a

movable signal-initiator to be su ervised, a

timing device operatively associated with the transmitter and signal-initiator, and arranged, when maintained in functionally operative condition by the initiator for a pre-' determined time, 'to mechanically condition the transmitter for peration and-'when maintained in such condition or lessthan the predetermined time to restore'itself tonormal condition Without affecting the transmitter. I

4. In combination a; valve, a signal-transmitter and a timing device, responsive to an abnormal condition of the valve for a definite time to mechanically trip thetransmitter and self-restoring aftermaintenancejofisuch abnormal condition for less thansujizhdefinit'e time.

5. In-combination-yvith a=valve, a normally'wound signal device, and means for. mechanically tripping the signal device; comprising a movable partnssociatedl with the valve for movement thefeby, ai1d a' mechanical-timing device'arran ed to 'bexmoved from normal position gsai movable part fand,

when maintained mfabnormal position for a predetermined time; to mechanically trip-the signaldevicej-saidftiming' device' being'selfrestored' tognormalficondltion aftermainte- "nance in abnormal position for less than the predetermined time.

6. In combination with a device to be supervised, a normally wound signal device, a timing device mechanicall connected with the signal device to contro the signal device and controlled by the device to be supervised, said timing device being adapted to condition the signal device for operationonly after its maintenance in condition -for operation by the device to be supervised for a predeter minedtime and to restore itself to initial condition'after maintenance in timing condition forl'e s's than the redetermined time.

' In testimony that l claim' the foregoing vas my own'I aflix my sig'naturjin presence of. 4 two witnesses. v 'JAMES-GkNQLEN. In. presence of a 1 ".Gno. .T.' MAY, Jr.,' 3 Manx F. 

